of Northeast Louisiana

1505 Stubbs Avenue,

Monroe, Louisiana 71201

318.387.9622

Welcome to your YMCA of Northeast Louisiana

Our Mission:

The YMCA provides programs based on Christian principles that build strong minds, spirits and bodies for all.

YMCA of Northeast Louisiana | Child Care

YMCA of Northeast Louisiana | Positive Action

YMCA of Northeast Louisiana | Teens and Family

About Us

What does the YMCA do in Northeast Louisiana?

That question is best answered by highlighting the positive impact we have on the kids in our programs. The Search Institute® has identified forty building blocks of healthy development-known as Developmental Assets®-that help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible. Participation in the YMCA promotes the growth of many of these assets for kids and families in the following ways:

Other adult relationships-Child receives support from adults other than her or his parent(s).

Y-Kids build caring, long-term relationships with YMCA staff and volunteers that help them feel more confident and secure.

Bonding to school-Child cares about teachers and other adults at school.

Caring school climate-Relationships with teachers and peers provide a caring, encouraging environment.

Many YMCA staff or volunteers are school employees, which allows kids to build relationships with them outside the classroom.

Community values youth-Child feels valued and appreciated by adults in the community.

YMCA sports creates an environment in which every team is like an extended family, and all the adults help lift up all the kids.

Children as resources-Child is included in decisions at home and in the community.

YMCA teen programs include the participants directly in leadership and decision-making.

Service to others-Child has opportunities to help others in the community.

All YMCA participants have an opportunity for community service, whether a Y-Kids food drive or a more intensive Y-Teens project.

Safety-Child feels safe at home, at school, and in his or her neighborhood.

It is a priority for the YMCA that all its participants are free from bullying, taunting or other intimidation. Y-Kids are free to be themselves in our programs.

Adult role models-Parent(s) and other adults in the child's family, as well as nonfamily adults, model positive, responsible behavior. Child's closest friends model positive, responsible behavior.

We demand that YMCA staff, volunteers, and adult participants model positive values in our programs. We set clear guidelines and enforce consequences for violations.

Child programs-Child participates two or more times per week in cocurricular school activities or structured community programs for children.

That's us!

Homework-Child usually hands in homework on time.

Y-Kids after school staff help kids complete their homework every day.

Caring-Parent(s) tell the child it is important to help other people.

Honesty-Parent(s) tell the child it is important to tell the truth.

Responsibility-Parent(s) tell the child it is important to accept personal responsibility for behavior.

These are the Y's core values, and are reinforced in all our programs.

Cultural Competence-Child knows and is comfortable with people of different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and with her or his own cultural identity.

Equality and social justice-Parent(s) tell the child it is important to speak up for equal rights for all people.

In the YMCA, every child is treated equally and taught to value his peers regardless of age, race, religion or ability.

Healthy Lifestyle-Parent(s) tell the child it is important to have good health habits.

The Y's Positive Action program teaches young children the value of caring for their physical health.

Personal power-Child feels he or she has some influence over things that happen in her or his life.

Planning and decision making-Child thinks about decisions and is usually happy with results of her or his decisions.

YMCA Teen programs help adolescents and young adults learn to set goals and work toward them.

Interpersonal Competence-Child cares about and is affected by other people's feelings, enjoys making friends, and, when frustrated or angry, tries to calm her- or himself.

Y-Kids Day Camp and Y-Kids After School teach children how to socialize and deal with conflict in a positive way.

Resistance skills-Child can stay away from people who are likely to get her or him in trouble and is able to say no to doing wrong or dangerous things. Child seeks to resolve conflict nonviolently.

The Positive Action program teaches kids the fundamental skills necessary for good decisions.

Y-Kids After School keeps kids in a safe, structured environment during the hours when they are most likely to get into trouble.

Self-esteem-Child likes and is proud to be the person that he or she is.

All Y programs ensure that children feel valued as individuals, and learn who they are and what they have to offer the world.

For more information on the 40 Developmental Assets,

visit www.search-institute.org.

YMCA After School Program